Traditional Medicine for Modern Bodies

Traditional Medicine for Modern Bodies

Fight Hay Fever Naturally

3 Super Foods and Acupuncture

Winter has passed and the days begin to lengthen. It is a time of regeneration, new beginnings and a shedding of the old for the new. For most locals in Bondi, there is nothing better than the arrival of Spring.

As I sit here on iconic Bondi Beach writing my blog and taking in the Spring sea breeze, it’s hard to imaging that 1 in 5 people don’t crave the coming of Spring as I do. I look around and dotted on the grassy embankment behind me just off Campbell Parade are hundreds of the most sublime little white and purple flowers casually swaying.

To me they look and smell heavenly, but for many people it marks the beginning of yes, hay fever season. If you suffer from a runny nose, itchy watery eyes and constant sneezing, you probably dread the thought of pollen in the air.

If this season for you means constant irritation, then you might want to try out a few of these simple tips.

1 Local Honey

Eating honey from locally sourced hives can help build your immunity over time.

A delicious remedy is to have a small amount of raw unprocessed honey every day. Introducing a small amount of allergen into your body through bees collecting pollen from the local area acts like a natural vaccine. Over time this may help you become less sensitive to the pollen around you.

Centennial Park sells local honey from bees that have been busily buzzing around the park. You can buy it from the kiosk in the middle of the park next to the café. Not only is it good for you, but you can also support our local bee farmers too.

2 Chomp into some Pineapples

This beauty fruit is not only Insta worthy but is packed with a powerful and natural anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain.

Bromelain is a combination of protein-digesting enzymes and can help break down mucus and assist with nasal congestion associated with hay fever. Don’t throw away the core as it contains the greatest quantities of bromelain.

If you find fresh pineapple just too much fussing around, then try a good dried version that you can store in your pantry or bromelain supplements.

3 Lemons

Lemons are a wonderful source of Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which together is a natural decongestant and anti-allergen.

It is said that Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine and can help to calm allergic reactions.

Start your day off with a squeeze of lemon juice into some warm water. It’s a great way of boosting your immune system.

4 Acupuncture

Foods can certainly help fight hay fever and reduce symptoms, but if you want to do more than just change up your diet, then acupuncture might be a way for you to put a Spring in your step this season.

Classical literature suggests that acupuncture has been used to treat anti-inflammatory conditions for millennia. More recent studies have also shown that acupuncture can reduce sneezing, runny nose and itchiness by up to 97% when treated in conjunction with herbs and 72% effectiveness as a stand alone treatment. Check out this study for more on these results.

If you haven’t thought of acupuncture before to help with your hay fever, then perhaps now is the time.